Current:Home > Contact-usJamil was struggling after his daughter had a stroke. Then a doctor pulled up a chair-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Jamil was struggling after his daughter had a stroke. Then a doctor pulled up a chair
View Date:2024-12-23 22:36:09
This story is part of the My Unsung Hero series, from the Hidden Brain team, about people whose kindness left a lasting impression on someone else.
In 2015, Jamil Zaki's daughter, Alma, was born. She suffered a stroke during her birth, and was sent to the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit. A rotating team of nurses and doctors cared for her around the clock.
Early one morning, at about 1am, a doctor came by to share some difficult news about her treatment plan.
"And instead of just delivering the news compassionately and leaving, he just pulled up a chair," Zaki told Hidden Brain in 2021. The two men talked for about 90 minutes — a wide-ranging conversation in which the doctor told him about his own struggles as a new father, and shared his thoughts about parenthood.
"It was as though he hit the pause button on this torrent of pain and anguish that we were feeling," Zaki recalled.
Sharing his story inspired Zaki to find that doctor – Mark Petersen, of the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in San Francisco. Recently, they connected over Zoom, and Zaki began by reflecting on what was going through his mind that day, years before, in the hospital.
"I just felt like I couldn't control anything," Zaki told Petersen. "I was feeling this loss of autonomy, of agency. And then I just remember you not leaving."
Petersen's honest conversation about the ups and downs of fatherhood reminded Zaki that he wasn't doing this alone.
"Afterwards I stopped thinking about the suffering that we were going through and started thinking about, OK, well, what do we do for Alma next?" Zaki said.
Petersen told Zaki that their conversation in the hospital meant something to him, too. It allowed him to feel he was making a difference during one of the most vulnerable moments of someone's life.
"It's an amazing feeling to be able to be part of that and help guide families through that," Petersen said.
At that moment, Zaki said he felt that they weren't just a doctor and a distraught patient – they were fathers.
"You stepped out from behind the white coat," Zaki told Petersen. "You were there for us. You were there for me. And I don't think that I could ever adequately thank you for that."
Petersen was touched by Zaki's gratitude.
"We want to be there," Petersen told him. "That magic of being able to be there at the moment when someone's family starts is a very special thing."
My Unsung Hero is also a podcast — new episodes are released every Tuesday. To share the story of your unsung hero with the Hidden Brain team, record a voice memo on your phone and send it to [email protected].
veryGood! (21)
Related
- Over 1.4 million Honda, Acura vehicles subject of US probe over potential engine failure
- The Bachelorette’s Andi Dorfman Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby With Husband Blaine Hart
- Novak Djokovic beats Carlos Alcaraz to win his first Olympic gold medal
- Flag contest: Mainers to vote on adopting a pine tree design paying homage to state’s 1st flag
- Former NFL coach Jack Del Rio charged with operating vehicle while intoxicated
- USA breaks world record, wins swimming Olympic gold in women's medley relay
- Gabby Thomas advances to women's 200m semis; Shericka Jackson withdraws
- Liz Taylor speaks from beyond the grave in 'Lost Tapes' documentary
- Wall Street makes wagers on the likely winners and losers in a second Trump term
- Mega Millions winning numbers for August 2 drawing: Jackpot now worth $374 million
Ranking
- Multi-State Offshore Wind Pact Weakened After Connecticut Sits Out First Selection
- From fun and games to artwork, try out these free AI tools for your entertainment
- Former NBA player Chase Budinger's Olympic volleyball dream ends. What about LA '28 at 40?
- Prosecutors plan to charge former Kansas police chief over his conduct following newspaper raid
- Utah AD Mark Harlan rips officials following loss to BYU, claims game was 'stolen from us'
- Simone Biles ran afoul of salute etiquette. She made sure it didn’t happen on floor
- Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes Make Rare Appearance at 2024 Paris Olympics
- The Ultimate Guide to the Best Tatcha Skincare Products: Which Ones Are Worth Your Money?
Recommendation
-
Avril Lavigne’s Ex Mod Sun Is Dating Love Is Blind Star Brittany Wisniewski, Debuts Romance With a Kiss
-
Sara Hughes, Kelly Cheng keep beach volleyball medal hopes alive in three-set thriller
-
Ben Affleck Debuts Hair Transformation Amid Jennifer Lopez Breakup Rumors
-
Social media bans could deny teenagers mental health help
-
Martin Scorsese on the saints, faith in filmmaking and what his next movie might be
-
Competing for two: Pregnant Olympians push the boundaries of possibility in Paris
-
Prosecutors plan to charge former Kansas police chief over his conduct following newspaper raid
-
Head bone connected to the clavicle bone and then a gold medal for sprinter Noah Lyles